How to Read a Transposed Score (Dr. B Music Theory)

How to Read a Transposed Score

For more watch Lesson 14: Part-Writing & Transposition: youtu.be/o1LBxW077N0?t=749

Score images discussed in video are posted for free at patreon.com/DrBMusicTheory on October 28, 2020 (patreon.com/posts/43250642)

1. Concert vs. Transposed Score (analysis/composition vs. rehearsal)
a. Tonal vs. atonal
b. Any sharps or flats in key signature?
c. If key signature, is it the same for all instruments or different?

2. Put a check next to all concert instruments (in C)
a. Names of in English/German/Italian/French
b. Score order
c. Are all C instruments in the same key signature? Note: timpani and percussion are written with no key signature.

ENGLISH GERMAN ITALIAN FRENCH
Piccolo Kleine Flöte
Flute Flöte Flauto Flûte
Oboe Oboe Oboe Hautbois
Bassoon Fagott Fagotto Bassoon
Trombone Pasaune Trombone Trombone
Timpani Pauken Timpano Timbales
Violin Geige or Violine Violino Violon
Viola Bratsche or Viole Viola Alto
Cello Violoncello Violoncello Violoncelle
Double Bass Kontrabass Contrabasso Contrebasse

3. Put a star next to all instruments that are not normally in C.

ENGLISH GERMAN ITALIAN FRENCH
Clarinet Klarinette Clarinetto Clarinette
Horn Horn Corno Cor
Trumpet Trompete Tromba Trompette

a. The above instruments will usually indicate what key they’re in.

ENGLISH GERMAN ITALIAN FRENCH
C, D, E, F, G, A C, D, E, F, G, A Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La
B H Si Si
Bb B Sib Sib or Si-bémol
Eb, Ab Es, As Mib, Lab Mib, Lab or La-bémol
Db Des Reb Reb or Re-bémol
F# Fis Fa# (?) Fa-dièse

b. What does it mean to be in a key other than C?
c. Put up or down arrows and interval next to transposing instruments (octave question)
d. Is the key signature correctly transposed?
i. HINT: If they match this probably means you transposed correctly.
ii. If not, remember that mome may be and others may not (this is done for ease of reading for the performer)

4. Check your work
a. Look for doublings
b. If the composition is tonal check that parts are in same chord

Instrument Transpositions for Musical Analysis: utminers.utep.edu/charlesl/transpose.html
The names of instruments in other languages: web.library.yale.edu/cataloging/music/instname

For more music theory questions/composition help I recommend the following:

1) New "Dr. B Music Theory Facebook Group" started by a fan: facebook.com/groups/4073198026085906

2) 1-on-1 lessons with teachers I hand picked. Sign up for lessons starting at $120 for 2 hours:
Dutchess Community College Academy of Music
sunydutchess.edu/academyofmusic

3) patreon.com/DrBMusicTheory
Live Q&A times and dates posted in advance
PATREON supporters may submit questions in advance!
1-on-1 coaching with me at upper tiers!!


NEW web pages that accompany Dr. B Music Theory Lesson videos by Christophe Poudras
tonal.composition.free.fr/web-Dr.B/
We are in the process of proofreading all the pages; if you spot a mistake please post the exact page and screenshot on the Facebook group below!


christopherbrellochs.com
facebook.com/christopherbrellochs/